Council approved its third moratorium on gaming parlors

WOOSTER -- With the election now past, city leaders are holding out hope the state legislature in Columbus may finally take up action to regulate sweepstakes gaming parlors across Ohio.

In the meantime, City Council on Monday unanimously approved a third consecutive moratorium on the businesses.

The latest moratorium will be in effect until June 30, which Law Director Richard Benson said is aimed to coincide with anticipated action out of Columbus.

But that action has not happened to date.

Benson told council Monday a bill was pending in the legislature, but there was no timetable for when action may be taken up regarding it. The legislation under consideration would regulate and license such businesses under the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

The previous moratorium was passed at council's May 7 meeting.

During that meeting, David Silvestri, Ward 3 representative, said, "I am wholeheartedly in support of this. ... I think this is a wise move for our community."

On Monday, Silvestri introduced the latest moratorium ordinance and moved to suspend the rules. After the vote moving it to third reading, it passed 6-0. Barbara Knapic, Ward 2 representative was absent from the meeting.

"I think there are about six or seven of these inside the city... we want to put a stop to further applications," from being processed, Silvestri said.

The moratorium bans applications for adult gaming parlors or sweepstakes terminal devices, which fall in what has been described as a "grey area" of regulations.

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.